The simmering tensions between Iran and Israel seem to be reaching a boiling point. Iran launched an attack on Israel around midnight on April 13th. Roughly a week later, Israel conducted a retaliatory strike on Iran. However, Iran has dismissed reports of the Israeli attack. To date, there has been no official statement from Israel.
Prior to this, U.S. officials claimed that an Israeli attack had occurred inside Iran, targeting several critical positions. The most significant damage was reported in the Iranian city of Isfahan, which is also home to a major nuclear facility.
Three Iranian officials confirmed to the New York Times that a military airbase near Isfahan had been attacked. Meanwhile, the spokesperson for Iran's space agency claimed to have shot down three Israeli drones.
Local media in Syria also reported late at night that their air defense system had intercepted Israeli missiles. There have been similar claims about Israeli missiles dropping in Iraq. However, the United States has not confirmed any missile attacks in Syria or Iraq.
Amidst this, the risk of a new conflict erupting in the Middle East is intensifying. The tensions between Iran and Israel not only affect both countries but also place a significant strain on the nations between them. It is feared that intensifying hostilities may lead to a dire situation across the Middle East.
The Countries in the Middle of Iran-Israel Tensions
The increasing tension between Iran and Israel is not confined to these two countries alone; nine nations are involved. On one side, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen stand with Iran, while on the other side, America, Britain, and Jordan support Israel.
However, caught in an extremely precarious position between the two are Iraq, Syria, and Jordan. These three nations lie directly between Iran and Israel. Although the shortest distance between Iran and Israel is a thousand kilometers, any attacks would invariably have to traverse these three countries.
Source: aajtak
How These Three Nations Are Caught in the Middle
- Jordan:
With a population of just over ten million, this nation finds itself sandwiched between Iran and Israel. Jordan shares borders with Syria, Iran, Saudi Arabia, as well as the West Bank and Israel.
- Syria:
Boasting a population of approximately twenty-three million and larger in area than Jordan, Syria is surrounded. It shares borders with Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Israel.
- Iraq:
With a vast population exceeding forty-five million, Iraq is the second-largest country in the Middle East by land area. Iraq's borders touch Turkey, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Syria.
Source: aajtak
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